Mentor Graphics and Digi-Key Bring Professional EDA Software to the Engineering Masses

Beta Version of Sub-$300 Designer Schematic™ Design Tool Now Available

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minnesota, USA - May 21, 2014

Digi-Key Corporation, the industry leader in electronic component selection, availability and delivery, has collaborated with Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ:MENT), the worldwide Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design solutions leader, to create a unique concept-to-prototype design tool targeted for green-field projects before transition to production. Available from Digi-Key, the Designer Schematic™ product from Mentor Graphics addresses escalating demand from professional engineers for Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software at an affordable price point for new R&D projects, while facilitating access to the latest parts.

"Innovators around the world need to have access to professional-class PCB design tools to easily capture their design concepts. Mentor Graphics' partnership with Digi-Key provides an opportunity to deliver our proven design technologies to individual engineers at very attractive price points," said Henry Potts, vice president and general manager of Mentor Graphics Systems Design Division. "We are pleased to be working with Digi-Key, their suppliers, and interested design service and PCB manufacturing suppliers to accelerate designs from concept to prototype. With Designer Schematic, Mentor Graphics is extending its range of PCB development solutions, now serving individual engineers working on conceptual projects, the desktop market with PADS®, and the extended enterprise with our flagship Xpedition™ flow."

The Designer Schematic tool is scheduled to launch early this summer, at an unprecedented sub-$300 price point. Engineers will gain the benefit of first-class design tools, as well as increased freedom to use new components with error-free EDA representation, as they are released, providing direct paths to quick-turn PCB layout and manufacturing services. The web-based software is designed to give engineers real-time access to the latest design components along with easy, error-free access to Design Service Providers and PCB Fabrication and Manufacturing Services.

"Mentor Graphics software represents the pinnacle of design tools. We're pleased to be able to offer our customers a high-value CAD software solution that will take them to the next level of product design and prototyping without breaking the bank," said Randall Restle, Director of Application Engineering for Digi-Key. "As a result, innovators will be able to focus on design creation, maintain their flexibility, and minimize the prototype development process."

About Mentor Graphics Corporation

Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months in excess of $1.15 billion. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com/.

About Digi-Key Corporation

Digi-Key Corporation, based in Thief River Falls, Minn., is a global, full-service provider of both prototype/design and production quantities of electronic components, offering more than three million products from over 650 quality name-brand manufacturers. With over one million products in stock and an impressive selection of online resources, Digi-Key is committed to stocking the broadest range of electronic components in the industry and providing the best service possible to its customers. Additional information and access to Digi-Key's broad product offering is available on the Digi-Key website.